The US Senate once had its own electric cars: two Studebakers that ran underground

John Voelcker Jun 18, 2017 Follow John Add to circle One of two 1909 Studebaker electric cars built for underground use [Architect of the U.S. Capitol] Enlarge Photo One advantage of electric cars is that unlike gasoline or steam cars, they have no emissions. More than a century ago, that was why the U.S. Capitol acquired two custom-built electric cars, nicknamed "Tommy" and "Peggy." They were built by Studebaker, an early and hallowed U.S. car brand that finally folded up shop in 1965. DON'T MISS: Electric Car Drivers: Be Thankful You Didn't Recharge In 1900 A wagonmaker since 1852, Studebaker had started to build and sell cars in 1897, all electrically powered per the dictate of the last founding brother. The company didn't launch its first gasoline model until 1904. With the invention of the electric self-starter in 1912, however, the hazard that gasoline-powered vehicl...